Student Council Rejects Claverly Honor System

The Student Council last night refused to pass a section of its Claverly Hall Committee's report which recommended the reinstitution of the parietal honor system at the dormitory.

It did, however, approve the rest of the report, submitted by Robert A. G. Monks '54, advising the administration to continue the present methods of assigning students to the dormitory and to permit Claverly residents to sign off breakfast in the Houses.

The Council will press the administration immediately for approval of the suggestions, according to Clifford L. Alexander '55, president.

The absence of a quorum prevented the group from making any real transaction of business, but the members discussed several reports, assuming approval by those absent. These reports will be finally passed on next week.

The Council approved a report submitted for John W. Stokes '54, recommending faculty support of a "junior year abroad" for honors concentrators in nine additional fields of concentration, established a committee to study the student employment system, and discussed a possible Council stand on proposed plans for advanced standing and acceleration in the College.

The Council rejected the recommendation for restoration of the honor system at Claverly on the grounds that it "might be misinterpreted," and because "the resentment over the night-watchman would pass with this generation of Claverly residents." The University instituted a night watchman in Claverly early last fall after violations of the parietal rules under the original honor system.

"Get Away With Something"

Monks said the main objection to the watchman by Claverly men had been for "aesthetic reason." They did not mind his presence in a place where he could see entering members, but disliked his position immediately in front of the door where "they always have to see him."

Joseph D. Murphy '56, dissenting from the Council's vote, said that the honor system had a double appeal in making Claverly attractive. "It gives the members both a sense of responsibility and an opportunity to get away with something."

Stokes' report recommends that the faculty revise its 1952 vote restricting foreign junior-year study to concentrators in Romance Languages, Germanic Languages, and Philology, in order to extend permission to honors concentrators in English, Economics, Fine Arts, Government, History, History and Literature, Music, Philosophy, and Social Relations.

Reduce Gen. Ed.

The plan also would give the Committee on General Education authorization to reduce general education requirements for students studying abroad, as the Committee deems appropriate. Under present arrangements study can be done in connection with the Sweet Briar groups in Geneva, Madrid, Paris, and Munich. These proposals will go before the faculty at their March meeting.

Geoffrey H. Ball '55 will head a Council committee to study the student employment system, including an investigation into the relations between the Student Employment Office and the HUERA.

The Council decided to investigate the advanced standing report of the administration and to attempt to acquaint the student body with both side of the question.